No worries over Celts’ striker deal
Levante’s legal threat shrugged off at Parkhead
CELTIC have dismissed claims from Spanish side Levante that they will sue the Parkhead club over the signing of striker Lassad Nouioui.
Neil Lennon completed his summer captures yesterday when the Tunisia forward joined the SPL champions on a two-year deal, subject to international clearance.
But Levante – who thought they’d landed the player only to discover he was on his way to Glasgow over the weekend – are now threatening legal action.
But a Celtic spokesman insisted: “This was a straightforward transaction from our side and, as ever, we did our business with the utmost integrity.”
Nouioui, 26, who spent the last three years with Spanish side, Deportivo La Coruna, is looking forward to playing for Celtic in the Champions League where they will come up against Barcelona, Benfica and Spartak Moscow.
“I’m absolutely delighted to sign for Celtic,” he said.
“Celtic is a huge club with a magnificent history and a fantastic support. I know all about the wonderful atmosphere at Celtic Park and I can’t wait to play there.”
Lennon, who is looking for Nouioui to “bring another dimension to the team”, is hoping the international break will allow some of his injured players to recover.
Scott Brown, Georgios Samaras, Charlie Mulg rew, Joe Ledley, Beram Kayal and Dylan McGeouch all missed the 2-2 SPL draw with Hibs at Parkhead.
Kris Commons’ ankle problem meant he started on the bench and when midfielder Victor Wanyama was replaced by debutant Jackson Irvine for the start of the second half after the Kenyan could not overcome a dead leg, he teamed up with fellow youngster Filip Twardzik in the middle of the park.
Lennon said: “Hopefully after this two-week break when we go to St Johnstone we will have a good squad to pick from.
“But I am not using that as an excuse, we want to bring the kids through.
“For the majority of the game we played great, I’m not overly unhappy.”